West is Best!
WESTERN REGION VENTURING
Volume 2, Number 6
President’s Message:
Hello, Western Region!!! January and February are traditionally our busiest months at the region level, and this year was no different. Starting with collecting the Council Standards of Venturing Excellence (CSVE) awards, then moving to VLA selections, and of course ending with the selection of our 20132014 Western Region Venturing Annaliese Parker President, Jillian Infusino of Western Region President Area 4. These months were in2012-2013 credibly busy. In addition, we are moving quickly into the final planning stages of the conference as well as planning for the year to come. Being as fantastic as we are, the Western Region does have a few things to brag about these past few months! The first being that the Western Region has been positive in membership since last May! We are above the National membership growth average and are the only Region that has been positive since May. This means that we are continually growing in membership, only solidifying that the West is truly the best. The second is that 70% of all of the CSVE’s turned into National this year, were from the Western Region! A few of our councils will receive this honor. Last but not least, out of all of the Regions in the Nation, we were the first to select our fabulous new President-Elect. So if anyone asks why West is Best, you know what to tell them! I hope that by now, everyone has bought a pair of “West is Best” sunglasses, because if not, you’re missing out! Buy some in celebration of the great work you and your fellow Venturers have been doing. We will be using them at the conference in April for a shout out, so don’t forget to buy a pair and come to the conference! WEST IS BEST!
by Annaliese Parker
Western Region President, 2012-2013 president@wrventuring-bsa.org
April, 2013
Western Region Venturing Youth Conference
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igned up for the Western Region Venturing Youth Conference yet? Well if you haven’t, sign up today! Our very own President of the Boy Scouts of America, Wayne Perry, will be our keynote speaker on Saturday night. Not only will he be there, but the current National Venturing Vice-President, Sarah Mittrucker, and the National Venturing President-Elect, Annaliese Parker, will also be there! If there was ever a time to find out how to get involved in Scouting at a higher level, it’s at the 2013 WRVYC. If you are not interested in upper leadership, we also have tons of activities such as shooting, COPE, climbing, archery, tomahawks, mountain biking, and more! Additional youth and advisor sessions will also be running throughout the day, ranging from how to put on a Superactivity to how to more effectively recruit Venturers in your council. Sign up today for the most historical WRVYC we have ever had! Be there, or be square.
ARTWORK APPROVAL
WRVYC
P. 480-967-7015 Date
Name/Company
Boyscouts of America
Due Date
1/16/13
Design Name
F. 480-921-9011
April 19-21, Seattle, WA
Design Type
West is Best Sunglasses Placement
ASI tinyurl.com/wrvyc13
Dimensions
Side Print
2”W x .25”H
West is Best Sunglasses
H
Due to the differences in color systems for computer monitors and printers, the colors illustrated on this form are for representation purposes only. When viewed on a screen or printed on paper, these colors may not accurately reflect the actual thread, fabric or print colors of the final product. Any PMS color code noted on this form are provided as a closely matching reference only.
ey Western Region! Want to show everyone that West is Best while looking cool doing so? Well then you need the Western White ink Region VOA West is Best Sunglasses! -
These sunglasses are, of course, Venturing green, so they match with your uniform and you can wear them at all of your Venturing - events, including the Western Region Venturing Conference this April! -
The price for a pair of these Acamazing West is Best sunglasses is just $6 (plus $1.86 shipping). Visit our website at www.wrventuring-bsa.org/sunglasses for information on how to order. Supplies are limited, so order now and show them off because, as we’ve said countless times in this newsletter: W est is B est ! -Submitted by Jillian Infusino
Pacific Northwest Has a New VOA President
H Jeremy Felty
Area 1 VOA President - 2012-13
ey Region! Here are the latest happenings in Area 1.
A new Area President has been selected: Andre Giacalone! He’s currently serving as Vice-President of Communications for the area, and he is really looking forward to his term. If you are interested in being a member of his cabinet, contact him ASAP at: area1-vpcomms@wrventuring-bsa.org!
Venturing Dance in Area 3?
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f you were at the Mount Diablo Silverado Council Office on March 9, you must have been having a great time! Their Venturing 80’s themed VOA dance was a huge success, and tons of Venturers showed off their moves on the dance floor. The night was filled with neon outfits and a nice mix of current music as well as classic 80’s tunes. The officers in charge created an enterTess Mitchell taining atmosphere while getting the most Area 3 VOA President 2012-13 bang for their buck. They managed to keep the cost to just $5 per person and $8 for couples, all while operating on a budget just over $100. Over 30 Venturers and friends showed up for the 6-8pm dance, and had a blast dancing to beats from a cool DJ as well as chowing down on snacks and drinks. AREA Your Area 3 VOA President was there having fun along with your Western Region President and Vice-President of Communications. The dance was a huge success and I encourage other President............... Tess Mitchell councils to throw super fun events like this one! Vice-Presidents.... Amanda Clark, Forrest Yeh, Indy Nelson By Tess Mitchell,
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2012-2013 Area 3 Venturing President area3-president@wrventuring-bsa.org
Advisor................. Larry Peterson
Calling all Trainers
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s the Region Vice-President of Program, I would like to compile a list of all training that is being conducted in the Western Region. Training includes ILSC, NYLT, Woodbadge, Powderhorn, Kodiak, and Kodiak X. If you know of any upcoming training events happening in your council or area, please email vpprgm@wrventuring-bsa.org so I can compile a master list. Thank you! -Submitted by Hampton Zobrist
In other news, coming up in April is the Western Region Venturing Youth Conference at Camp Pigott in Snohomish, WA, and it is going to be a great event! It’s located in Area 1, so all the Venturers in Area 1 should definitely try their best to attend.
As usual feel free to contact me about all things Scouting, Venturing, or awesoming! By Jeremy Felty
2012-2013 Area 1 Venturing President area1-president@wrventuring-bsa.org
AREA
1
President...................... Jeremy Felty Vice-Presidents..............Ethan Stroh, Andre Giacalone, Shannan Stevens Advisor.................. Dr. Bruce Noonan
Area 4 Goes Golfing
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n February 28th, 2013 the Long Beach Area Council Sea Scout Squadron held their 3rd annual golf tournament fundraiser at California Country Club. They had 27 golfers participate in the event. We would like to give a special shout out to the winners of the tournament, the team from the Long Beach Yacht Club! A special thank you also goes out to event chairmen, Commodore Rich Butler and Vice Commodore Lonny McClure for all of their hard work! The event raised money to help all of the Sea Scout Ships in the Long Beach Area Council. The Sea Scout Squadron had their Assistant Scout Executive Scott Oldenburg, Sea Scout Unit Commissioner Joe Love and their Venturing and Sea Scout District Executive Brian Morrissey all in attendance. It was so Jillian Infusino great to see their council staff support them! Area 4 VOA The Long President - 2012-13 AREA Beach Area Council Sea Scout Squadron will be hosting the golf tournament fundraiser again next year, so mark your calendars for the last Thursday in February! They invite everyone to leave their sea legs behind for a day and come on out President.............. Jillian Infusino and golf with them.
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Vice-Presidents....Chris Moncrief Andrew Zimmerman Advisor................ Chuck Williams
By Jillian Infusino
2012-2013 Area 4 Venturing President area4-president@wrventuring-bsa.org
Region VP-Program
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owdy Western Region! Spring is just around the corner, which means more outdoor activities!
Before the snow had all melted, I had the chance to participate in a winter Powder Horn course offered by the Trapper Trails Council in Area 2. Nothing beats the cold, dark, snowy Utah winters better than playing in the snow. Four days of sledding, Hampton Zobrist snowmobiling, shivering, skiing, and archery Region VP of will cure any winter depression. I highly Program - 2012-13 encourage any crew, leaders, or families that are avid thrill-seekers, or simply want to try something new, to attend Powder Horn! Contact your local council to find out when the next course is being offered. By Hampton Zobrist
2012-2013 VP of Program vpprgm@wrventuring-bsa.org
Area 5
AREA
5
Don Diaz, as area representative, continues to work with each of the councils in developing Council VOAs. Please email area5-presVOA President................(vacant) ident@wrventuring-bsa.org if you are interested in helping out. Area 5 Advisor..............Don Diaz
VP-Comms Query of the Month: “What cartoon character best describes you and why?”
Here are the responses from each Area representative: Area 1: Billy from Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy Area 3: Cinderella because I’m blonde and tend to lose important things... like shoes. Area 4: Wonder Woman- because she is awesome and is friends with Batman Area 6: Mulan - I want to honor my family (I also dislike make-up) President: Pink panther - he’s sneaky and funny. The shows are awesome! VP Admin: Tweety Bird - I’ve always been a little ball of wild with big blue eyes! VP Comms: Timmy (from Fairly Odd Parents) - because I believe in the impossible VP Program: Hammy (Over the Hedge) - We share the same name and are both hyper/happy. Advisor: Calvin (of Calvin and Hobbes) - the most imaginative boy ever Have a question you want to see answered in our next newsletter?? Send it to: vpcomms@wrventuring-bsa.org
Area 6 Leadership Conference
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rea 6 held its first Youth Leadership Conference in Phoenix, AZ, over March 8-10. The event had attendees from 5 of the 10 councils in Area 6, with a special focus on the councils in New Mexico. Malia Ashley The event took place at the Heard Scout Area 6 VOA Pueblo, just outside of Phoenix. The first President - 2012-13 day was partially cloudy, but that did not stop our participants from having an amazing time. With a mix of council VOA presidents and council representatives trying to start VOAs, the conference was full of helping one another learn about the VOA upstart process and improving VOAs already in existence. Many of the participants were new to the VOA structure and gained a lot of information about Venturing beyond the crew level and what they can do to help the program. After the conference sessions, participants enjoyed a full afternoon of archery, rock-climbing, and rappelling off a 110ft rock face at the Heard. The partly cloudy weather made for perfect conditions for all activities as participants challenged themselves on the assortment of rock climbAREA ing conditions. In the evening after a momentary pie run, the participants enjoyed a movie before leaving early Sunday morning. The Area VOA looks forward to making this an annual event, and hopes to see many more councils reprePresident................ Malia Ashley sented!
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By Malia Ashley
2012-2013 Area 6 Venturing President area6-president@wrventuring-bsa.org
Vice-President.......David Carden, Shannon Mulligan, Brandi Tena
Advisor............ Mackenzie Lardie
Area 2 area2-president@wrventuring-bsa.org
Area 2 has been hard at work planning for many of their upcoming events, and as such, does not have any submissions for the April newsletter.
AREA
2
President...............Charles Holm Vice-Presidents......Julie Graham, Bailey Peterson, Tyler Lofgran Advisor...................... John Harris
Charles Holm
Area 2 VOA President - 2013
Region VP-Admin
Region VP-Comms
he last two months have been busy for me. One of the big things I have been working on is the selection panels for the incoming National and Region Presidents.
he past two months, I have been extremely busy with various Scouting activities, in both Venturing and the Order of the Arrow. In my role as Lodge Chief for my local Order of the Arrow Lodge, I conducted close to 20 troop elections and blue and Teddy Heidmann gold ceremonies, and inducted two new Region VP of Vigil Honor members. It was a huge time Comms - 2012-2013 commitment, and as such, I had to back off slightly from Venturing activities. In Venturing, I participated in the selection calls for the Area 3, Western Region, and National Venturing Presidents, and helped many of these new officers select their Vice-Presidents for the coming term. I also singlehandedly shipped out close to a third of all the West is Best sunglasses we ordered, and delivered many more to Annaliese so she could sell them at Area, Regional, and National meetings. The how-to guides for the incoming officers are still under revision, but I look forward to having them completed by the conference in Washington. As always, plese let me know if you have any ideas on what should be included! As we move into the final two months of my term, I am hoping to continue the high standards I have created in newsletter and website excellence, and to strengthen the many roles and responsibilities assigned to my position. I look forward to seeing many of you at the conference, so please sign up today at: www.tinyurl.com/wrvyc2013. See you in a few weeks in Washington! WEST IS BEST!!!
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I would like to congratulate both Annaliese Parker, the 2013-2014 National Venturing President, and Jillian Shantell Sallee Region VP of Infusino, the new 2013-2014 Western Admin - 2012-13 Region President, for their selection to each of these positions. These two young ladies have put amazing strides forward as Scouts and I look forward to a great year with them serving the Venturers of the Region and Nation. We still need Area and Region Vice–Presidents, so if you would like to serve, please send in your applications for VicePresident to president@wrventuring-bsa.org. I have also been working with all the areas for the CSVE. We got a 51% turn in from the councils, and I’m hoping to improve this number next year when more people learn about the award. I have also been working with the Areas and Region for the VLA selections. We have had a great turn-in rate, and I would like to say congratulations to the recipients of the award for the 2012-2013 year. These recipients have shown great leadership at their respective levels, and we look forward to seeing them continue to serve. Lastly, it is almost time for the Western Region Venturing Youth Conference, so please sign up ASAP by going to: www.tinyurl.com/wrvyc2013. By Shantell Sallee
2012-2013 VP of Administration vpadmin@wrventuring-bsa.org
By Teddy Heidmann
2012-2013 VP of Communication vpcomms@wrventuring-bsa.org
Do you have any pictures of you and your friends posing with the “West is Best” sign? Upload them to wrventuring-bsa.org/movie or email them to vpcomms@wrventuring-bsa.org.